Is Lane Splitting Legal in Phoenix, Arizona?

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Phoenix, Arizona?

Phoenix traffic can leave motorcyclists sitting between long lines of stopped cars, especially during rush hour. Before moving between lanes, riders need to know when Arizona law allows it and when doing so is illegal.

Key Takeaways

• Lane splitting is illegal in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Lane filtering is legal on Phoenix streets when the vehicle being passed is stopped, the posted speed limit is 45 mph or lower and you stay under 15 mph.
• Riding between lanes of moving traffic gives an insurer an argument that you caused your own crash.
• Arizona's pure comparative fault rule reduces what you recover by your share of the blame, so being found partially at fault by lane splitting can lower a payout without ending your claim.

Phoenix traffic often leaves motorcyclists vulnerable to rear-end collisions while trapped in congested, slow-moving lanes. To escape gridlock, riders frequently consider sharing a lane with other vehicles or squeezing through the narrow gap between two rows of traffic. Is lane splitting legal in Phoenix, and what happens to your claim if a driver hits you between lanes?

Is Lane Splitting Legal in Phoenix?

Lane splitting is illegal in Phoenix. Arizona lane splitting laws give every motorcycle the full use of a lane and don't let you ride between lanes while traffic is still moving, no matter how slowly the cars are creeping along.

What’s the Difference Between Lane Splitting and Lane Filtering?

Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between lanes of moving traffic. Lane filtering is when a motorcyclist rides between lanes of stopped traffic, such as cars waiting at a red light.

Keep in mind that the rules are different in the states where lane splitting is legal. A riding practice that is legal in another state may not be legal in Arizona, so motorcyclists need to know the local rules before riding between lanes.

When Is Lane Filtering Legal in Phoenix?

Lane filtering is legal in Phoenix only when the rider meets all of the conditions set by Arizona law. If even one of these conditions doesn’t apply, the rider cannot legally filter between lanes:

• The vehicle being passed is stopped
• The road has at least two lanes going in the same direction
• The speed limit is 45 mph or less
• The motorcyclist rides no faster than 15 mph
• The rider can make the move safely

The law also only applies to two-wheeled motorcycles. Trikes and motorcycles with sidecars don’t qualify. Many major streets in Phoenix have speed limits of 40 or 45 mph, so lane filtering may be allowed on them when the other requirements are also met.

Can Motorcycles Lane Split on Phoenix Freeways?

Motorcycles cannot split or filter on Phoenix freeways. Lane filtering is only allowed on roads with a speed limit of 45 mph or less, while I-10, I-17, Loop 101, Loop 202 and SR 51 have higher speed limits.

Even if freeway traffic comes to a complete stop, lane filtering is still not legal. Arizona law looks at the posted speed limit of the road, not how fast traffic is moving at the time.

How Does Comparative Fault Apply to Lane Splitting Crashes?

Arizona uses pure comparative fault. That means a motorcyclist can still recover compensation even if they were partly responsible for the crash.

For example, if you were riding between moving cars when a driver changed lanes and hit you, the insurance company may argue that the maneuver contributed to the accident. The driver may be at fault for failing to check before changing lanes, while you may be at fault for lane splitting.

Your percentage of fault would then reduce your compensation. If your damages total $100,000 and you’re found 30% at fault, you could recover $70,000.

What Evidence Helps Prove a Motorcyclist Was Lane Filtering Safely?

If you’re injured while lane filtering, the insurance company may argue that you were riding illegally or that your actions helped cause the crash. Evidence can help show that you followed Arizona’s lane-filtering laws and that another driver was responsible.

Useful evidence may include:

• Helmet or dashcam video
• Photos of the posted speed limit
• Statements from nearby drivers
• Surveillance footage
• The police report

Video evidence can be especially useful to support your claim because it may show that traffic was stopped, how fast you were moving, and what the other driver did before the crash. This evidence can help support your personal injury claim and fight claims that you were partly at fault.

Injured While Lane Splitting in Phoenix? Talk to an Attorney

It’s a good idea to speak with an attorney soon after a Phoenix lane splitting or lane filtering crash, especially if you were injured or the insurance company is questioning how you were riding. Fault can become a major issue in these cases, and what you say early in the claim may affect how the insurer decides who was responsible.

At Sargon Law Group, we represent injured motorcyclists in Phoenix and across Arizona, California and Colorado. We know that motorcyclists can sometimes face unfair assumptions about how they ride. We can help make sure the facts of the accident are clear, gather evidence, and protect your right to fair compensation.

Because we work on a contingency fee basis, you don't have to pay anything upfront to work with Sargon Law Group. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable Phoenix car accident attorney to learn more about your legal options.